Orange County NC Website
ERCD web page includes the CfE , what it does , membership and the SOE report . <br /> Wachholz added that the CfE would like to learn what the County is doing for public <br /> outreach and promotions such as what the Solid Waste Department is doing , and <br /> what resources that might be available for the commission to use . Wachholz briefly <br /> reviewed the other ideas previously discussed such as updating the tax mailing <br /> insert , new brochures , Environmental Summit , community fairs and the SOE report . <br /> Jones said that the county ' s Information Technology ( IT ) Department deals mostly <br /> with the technology side , is web focused and looks at other opportunities for <br /> promotion . He suggested that the CfE may want to consider also talking to David <br /> Hunt who is the County ' s Information Specialist from the Commissioners ' office . He <br /> could provide help and suggestions for press releases and pre - electronic type media . <br /> Jones said that the County " s website is about to undergo an overhaul . The current <br /> website is an " umbrella type " site , which lists departments and what they do . It <br /> reads like electronic brochures and can be confusing to a citizen trying to find out <br /> how to get their well water tested ( for example ) . He said that the IT Department <br /> wants to provide citizens with more of the information they need instead of a <br /> description of departments . The IT Department will work with departments to <br /> understand what types of information and services are offered , and then identify <br /> categories of information that citizens may want to search for on the website . Jones <br /> said the search engine would provide statistics for customer searches and their <br /> success in finding information . <br /> Jones suggested the CfE members consider if their desire is to promote the CfE itself <br /> or to promote the products , information and research generated by the commission . <br /> He said there is more traffic on sites that provide dynamic information for clients , <br /> such as the County " s GIS web page where a citizen can find out all kinds of <br /> information about a parcel of property in the County . If the CfE wants to generate <br /> more traffic they should consider a communication plan ; figure out the target <br /> audience and what sort of information needs to be presented . Jones said he and <br /> David Hunt could look at that communication plan and give recommendations for <br /> how the CfE could promote activities . He also suggested looking at ways to promote <br /> the CfE 's activities through ERCD . He discussed collecting feedback information <br /> from web customers . <br /> Wachholz asked about possibilities of promoting links to other sites . Jones reported <br /> that his department is looking at previously set up links that did not work due to <br /> updates or changes . The County is considering a new technology called spiders ' <br /> that check on links to avoid clients getting error codes . There are also issues to <br /> consider about information contained on websites linked to the County website . <br /> Members asked if the CfE should direct questions to the IT Department . Jones <br /> recommended members talk to Stancil about content and links . He said the IT <br /> Department will provide the tools that allow efficient site maintenance . Pratt asked <br /> if there is a " live "' helpdesk person for people to get assistance to the website or <br /> email a question and expect to get a timely response . Jones said that the <br /> technology is there , but staffing is uncertain . A lot of citizens contact the County <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br /> DRAFT January 12 , 2004 <br />